Chapter 355: Cruel people do exist

During Patricia and Zoren’s first meeting...

Although Patricia didn’t carry the same spirit or aura as Zoren remembered, she knew a lot of details about them. She knew even the smallest details, which Zoren was certain only they knew about. Therefore, he gave her the benefit of the doubt.

After all, who wouldn’t want this woman to be Penny?

He had been waiting for her for years, coming to this place every Thursday without fail. No matter what the season, he would be here unless he was "trapped" in the hospital. But if it was just a mild fever, he would still come, just because he didn’t want to think of the what-ifs.

"By the way, Renren, how’s Renny?"

Zoren’s smile stiffened as he slowly faced her. "Renny?"

"Mhm!" Patricia smiled from ear to ear, nodding. "Is he still with you?"

’Ah...’ Zoren’s smile remained as he let out a short laugh. ’Silly me.’

"Haha." He laughed louder, biting his lower lip.

"Renren?" Patricia furrowed her brows as he laughed and laughed for no apparent reason. "Is everything okay?"

He snapped his eyes back to her, still smiling. "Yes, Patricia. Everything’s okay."

"Oh... so, Renny?"

"He’s alive," he said reassuringly. "Thankfully."

"Oh, goodness!" Patricia patted her chest lightly. "That’s good. I missed him, and Chunchun missed him as well."

Meow.

Zoren’s eyes fell on the cat in her arms. ’No wonder it sounds different.’ A sharp glint flickered in his eyes for a split second, but his smile remained plastered on his face.

How Patricia knew about some of the little details Penny and Zoren shared was something he was unsure of. However, what he was certain of was that Penny never knew he called the black cub Renny because she named it Blacky.

Even so, Zoren played along.

Whoever sent this woman was surely watching. He was curious to know how this woman, Patricia Miller, got all this information.

’Moreover...’ Zoren listened to her happy and innocent giggles while she was deceiving him right in front of his face. ’... she sounds damn stupid.’

---

"What makes me angry... is when someone tries to taint the only good memory I have from then and now. It makes my blood boil, it makes me crave blood."

Patricia’s breath hitched as her entire body shuddered. Her eyes slowly widened as she watched him draw his head away, wearing a devious smirk as if the devil had finally shown himself.

The gentleman she was talking to just now had disappeared without a trace. All she could see was a man mocking her with his gaze, his lips curled up in amusement at her fear, and an overall look of superiority.

"Was it fun playing with me, Miss Miller?" he asked quietly and dangerously, lifting her chin with the back of his hand. "Did you feel excited, knowing Zoren Pierson is listening to you like a dog?"

Her shoulders tensed up as her expression paled. "Renren..." Her heart stopped when the smile on his face disappeared in the blink of an eye.

He looked at her with wide, emotionless eyes.

She was scared.

Her knees were wobbling, making standing a hard chore. She wanted to look away, she wanted to run away, she wanted to deny everything. However, her body, her mind, and even her soul weren’t listening to her.

All she could do was stand there as if she had been splashed by a bucket of ice.

’What’s happening?’ she asked herself, still processing the shocking turn of events. ’Just now, we were okay! Why is he suddenly...’

Her thoughts trailed off, hearing the echoes of her gulps in her ears. Her eyes shook under his gaze.

She was doomed.

All her plans to make Zoren Pierson fall in love with her, her plans for her family, for her career, her dream of power and control... all she could do was watch them go down the drain through his dark — very dark — eyes.

"Hadn’t you heard? Not everyone who comes into my den comes out of here... in one piece," he asked with disinterest, batting his eyes ever so slowly. "Didn’t the person who sent you tell you that, Miss Miller?"

The second those words rolled off his tongue, a low growl rang from her side. Turning her head to the source of the sound, her neck twisted like rusty metal. Her breath caught once more as soon as her eyes fell on the black panther approaching the two of them.

Patricia looked back at Zoren, only to see him wear a bored look. Seeing that he didn’t plan to stop his own pet from approaching, she looked at Renny again.

’Run,’ she told herself. ’I need to run.’

Patricia mustered every bit of her energy to move, only to take a step back.

"Running?" Zoren asked, watching her look back at him. "Didn’t you say you missed Renny? Here he is, Miss Miller."

He tilted his head and smiled. "Don’t worry, Miss Miller. Renny doesn’t bite... unless I say so," and then he waved dismissively and resumed his steps.

"Just her feet, Renny," he casually ordered. "You are still on a diet."

The black panther let out another dangerous growl while Patricia panicked. She looked back at him, her eyes brimming with frightened tears. Instead of running away, her knees gave in and she slumped to the ground.

"Mr. Pierson, I’m sorry!" she exclaimed, begging. "Please, don’t kill me!"

"Huh?" Zoren halted, arching a brow and cocking his head back to her. "Sorry? You’re sorry?"

Tears formed in her eyes until her vision was blurry. She could see that Renny was coming closer and, as if enjoying its prey’s desperation, the black panther moved even slower.

"Please!" Patricia wept, her entire body shaking. "I didn’t mean to do this! I really didn’t! I was only forced to do this! My heart is genuine, and I didn’t want to deceive you! If anything, I want to take care of you and stay by your side. Please... forgive me..."

Zoren blinked, listening to the fear-stricken voice ringing in the air. His expression, however, didn’t change despite her begging.

"Miss Miller, it is you who approached me," he lectured calmly. "You approached me, thinking it’s only a small flame you’re going to play with. Blame your foolishness for not considering that fire could be a piece of inferno."

"It’s just as you said," he added. "Cruel people... we do exist, you and I."

Patricia’s heart sank as she watched him resume his steps and wave a hand. After another second, all she heard was a low growl. Her eyes shook as she twisted her neck, only to see a black panther right next to her.